Cool MateBut he sure is fast vs Definitely
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
But he sure is fast
Top 3,000 (common)
Definitely
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Most common: Definitely
| But he sure is fast | Definitely | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //bʌt hiː ʃʊə ɪz fæst//🇺🇸 //bʌt hiː ʃʊr ɪz fæst// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdefɪnətli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdefɪnətli/"]/ |
| Meaning | He is definitely quick. | For sure, without a doubt |
| Example | But he sure is fast when it comes to running. | I definitely remember sending the letter. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | he sure is, but he, is fast | definitely agree, definitely believe, definitely know |
| Antonyms | - | doubtfully, uncertainly |
| Common mistakes | Using 'sure' without 'but' in a contrasting statement., Confusing 'fast' with 'quick' - they are similar but have different usages in context. | Often confused with 'defiantly' which means resisting authority., Sometimes spelled incorrectly as 'definately'. |
| Usage notes | Use in informal contexts, such as conversations or storytelling. Avoid in formal writing. | Use 'definitely' to emphasize certainty. It fits well in both spoken and written English. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where alternatives like 'certainly' might be more suitable. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: But he sure is fast vs Definitely
What's the difference between But he sure is fast and Definitely?
But he sure is fast: He is definitely quick. Definitely: For sure, without a doubt
Which is more common: But he sure is fast and Definitely?
Definitely is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
But he sure is fast: But he sure is fast when it comes to running. Definitely: I definitely remember sending the letter.
Can I use But he sure is fast and Definitely interchangeably?
Not always. But he sure is fast and Definitely are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.